Tag: winter

Posted on in Gratitude, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Worship

You Are Not Alone

This morning, it looks like a winter wonderland in North Dakota! It is quite pretty and peaceful. The wind has not picked up yet, so it looks like we are in a snow globe. A truly glorious gift!

I wonder just how much snow will accumulate, though it appears several inches have already fallen. Schools are closed, but there is online/virtual school. Many parents will be navigating that with their work schedules. I am grateful for an understanding boss!

I will clear some of my snow, but my snow service is doing the bulk of it!

Yesterday morning, I was on my way to work, and it had already started to snow. The roads were already a little slick, but I was thankful it wasn’t worse.

I am a good driver but don’t always like driving in the snow. Nonetheless, I know God has me covered with his grace. As soon as I got in the car, I heard the song “I Am Not Alone” by Kari Jobe. It is a beautiful song and just what I needed.

The song also reminded me of all God has done for me and eased my anxiety in the moment. He has done such an excellent job of taking care of us, especially in the years I have been a widow and single mom. Thank You, Lord.

God reminded me that He was with me on my morning commute, and I remembered He was with me on the evening drive home (by that time, the roads were worse). I took it slow and focused on the roads and God’s presence. Praise God, Jesus is our Emmanuel.

Free illustrations of Snow globe

Last night, I noticed some kids were playing in the snow and building the biggest snowman I have ever seen! So fun! The snow was perfectly wet for packing together. Maybe Lydia and I can make our own snowman today!

You know, we don’t have to fabricate or conjure up a savior, and we don’t have to solve our problems on our own. We are not alone because Jesus is our Emmanuel…He’s no snowflake! He didn’t just float to Earth and look pretty; He dared to be born in a filthy stable and then die on our behalf.

Whatever problems you are facing today, remember: YOU ARE NOT ALONE. God is right there with you, so don’t isolate yourself. Acknowledge His presence and accept His help! Be open-minded so you don’t miss what God is doing. Sometimes that looks like Christmas cookies and a smile, but at other times, it looks like a stranger’s snow shovel!

Snow or not, I hope you stay warm and safe today. Maybe drink some hot cocoa!

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God, thanks for Jesus, our Emmanuel! Thanks for being everything we need and reminding us of Your love and grace. Help us make wise decisions as we rely on You. Help us look out for others. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: When was the last time you built a snowman… or sand castle, for those of you down South? What is your favorite winter activity?

Tasks: Listen to this song and accept all the peace, joy, comfort, and help coming your way!

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Prayer

Finding Grace #353

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Free photos of Winter

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

This week was fairly calm! I found myself ‘unplugging’ from various things, just to take in the peace and joy of the season. I spent less time on social media, the internet, movies, etc. and more time praying, singing, reading, and working around the house.

Work went well, and I had a good amount of breathing room. There were a couple of cancellations and some no-shows, so I was able to get caught up with other patients and tasks. It felt good not to be constantly behind, and I was able to have some flexibility to help my coworkers with last-minute changes!

We had a couple birthdays to celebrate – my sister’s on Tuesday and my dad’s on Friday. We sent some gifts and were sure to call my sister and dad/mom on their special days One of my brothers also called me, so it was fun to catch up with him. I am so thankful for my family and don’t want to take them for granted. I realize not everyone is close with their families, so I appreciate that we are.

After my internet was fixed last week, the technician recommended I get a wifi-extender. After some lengthy research online, I still couldn’t quite tell what might work with my current setup. So, I bought what I thought was best! Well, it arrived today, and I followed all the directions before something glitched. It would not work no matter what I tried. So, I called my other brother and he helped me get it started. So far, so good!

This morning, we attended a baby shower and also saw some mutual friends! It was fun to celebrate the mother-to-be and see how we are all connected.

The weather was a little warmer this week, which made everything more enjoyable. I was able to run some errands and clean off my driveway. This is good because we are supposed to get more snow next week! LOL

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Fear, Faith, and Moving Forward book, Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Kindness, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #352

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

This week was a little bit of a wild card! I didn’t feel great for most of it – just various things, including a cold, gut issues, stubbing my toe (it’s fuschia currently), and of course, my elbow is still bruised (but doing better) from a few weeks ago. I’ll be okay. 🙂

I went to work late on Tuesday due to not feeling well, but also on Thursday due to yet another glitch! On Monday, it was my internet, and on Thursday, it was my furnace! I went downstairs before work and noticed a burnt rubber smell. Thankfully, my neighbor had a reliable contact, and I was able to get a motor replaced right away! They came within the hour, but even then, the inside temperature had dropped five degrees. I’m extra grateful it wasn’t thirty below with a long winter waiting list!

The weather is turning colder, and we got another inch of snow this week. It’s not too bad, and staying inside gave us plenty of time to reorganize the office and a closet downstairs. We also put up our Christmas tree last night! Lydia chose a red theme, and I added a couple strands of lights since there were a few ‘dark’ spots on the prelit tree. We might add a few more ornaments later. It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Today, we met a friend at a local coffee shop for a book sale. We each brought our self-published books to lay out. It was fun to meet new people and catch up over coffee! Can you believe my book has been out for over a year?!

Tonight, we were invited by some friends for a Christmas dinner at their house. Lydia enjoys playing with their kids, and it will be fun to get to know them better, along with the other guests. It’s always nice to be included!

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Being Gracious, Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Kindness, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Parenting

Finding Grace #351

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

This week was fun and relaxing! My family celebrated Lydia’s birthday over Zoom, and it was great to see her excitement with opening a few gifts and receiving a list of “everything we love about Lydia.” She is so special to us!

On Monday, we celebrated Lydia’s actual birthday. I left work a little early and took her to the mall after school to walk around. We bought a few little items and visited the puppy store, fountain, and a few other favorites. Then, we ordered pizza and picked up some cake and ice cream on the way home! We finished off the night with a movie. Lydia sometimes gets a little emotional missing her dad, Dave, but we ended on a happy note!

Work went well, on the three days I was there! I finally got caught up on my charting now that we are fully staffed again! It felt really good going into the long weekend!

For Thanksgiving, Lydia and I made a delicious meal together. Then, we invited our new African friends over for pumpkin pie. It was their first time experiencing this holiday, and they enjoyed it overall! I just wanted to make sure they felt loved; I have always appreciated people inviting us and looking out for us.

On Friday, I took the day off to hang out with Lydia and just relax! It was wonderful not to have to be anywhere or do anything. I slept in, exercised without feeling rushed, enjoyed leftovers, and set up Lydia’s new tablet (her birthday present from me and some other family – we all pitched in). Perfect!

Today, we did our Saturday things and mostly relaxed, similar to yesterday! I did run a quick errand, cleared out some old emails, and also cleared off the rest of the ice from the driveway and sidewalk, since it was close to 40-degrees!

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #350

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Free photos of Trees

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

This was a pretty good week! It was fairly calm and relaxing compared to some weeks. You could say I am cozy and thankful!

Work kept me busy, but most of the dietitians were back in the office, so I didn’t have quite as much on my plate. I was able to move back into my own office, as my friend is back from her maternity leave. It is quieter at my own desk because my office is a little harder for patients to find! LOL

We had more snow this week, but it was very pretty. I cleared snow several nights after work but thankfully did not slip again! My elbow is slowly healing – it is now a mix of purple and tan. It is still painful, so I appreciate your prayers for continued healing!

I rewatched Seasons 1 and 2 of The Chosen during the week, and then Lydia and I watched the first two episodes of Season 3 in the theater today! It was amazing! If you haven’t already checked it out, please download the free app so you can watch it. Season 3 will be on there soon… you don’t want to miss it!

On Friday, I got a small upgrade to my kitchen! I had a new faucet installed, as the old one was rusting out. It didn’t turn anymore and was having water pressure issues. The new one is bigger and works a little differently, but it is really pretty!

Tonight, Lydia is at a friend’s birthday sleepover. I ran a few errands and am catching up around the house… laundry, bills, cooking, etc. I also need to wrap some birthday presents for Lydia (for Monday!), so this is the perfect opportunity while she’s not home!

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Gratitude, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Personality, Pivot, Prayer, Wisdom

Cozy and Thankful

Here in the Great North, wintry weather has come! It makes me just want to stay home and watch movies while drinking something warm. 🙂 Cozy!

Actually, this is the best winter weather in that we haven’t had much blowing or accumulation yet. We can still see around the street corners, and it’s all really beautiful!

Since I fell on the ice at home over the weekend, I called my chiropractor on Monday to see if I could get in for an adjustment. Her husband, also a chiropractor, answered the phone and explained she also fell and hurt herself even worse. I hit my head and elbow, but it seems she broke her elbow in two places! I decided could just wait until later in December to see if she is starting to see patients again. If you think of her, pray for Dr. Jenny.

Interestingly, one of my coworkers and a few of my patients also have fallen on the ice, too. We’ve all had similar ‘war wounds.’ Altogether, this has made me feel even more careful than usual… I’m ‘walking like a penguin’ just in case.

Free photos of Mirror

The evening drive after work has also been a little nerve-wracking. I am a good driver, but don’t necessarily enjoy driving… and I was feeling a little time-crunched at work. Yesterday, I started off slow, and it took about eleven extra minutes to get across town since a lot of other drivers were also being cautious. Probably wise!

I was praying and turned off the radio so I could focus. Then, I just started thanking God for keeping me safe and for helping us all to drive well. I also told Him how pretty the snow was and how I was thankful there was no wind. I was very grateful for my reliable Subaru with all-wheel-drive. While I missed seeing the sun, I was glad it wasn’t ‘blinding’ me while driving. There’s always something to be thankful for!

Talking with God calmed me down! Now sometimes, I do complain, but yesterday, I was getting rid of other distractions in order to pay attention. It made a huge difference in my attitude and my driving!

Instead of being stressed when I picked up Lydia, I was calm. I’m sure she appreciated that too! I stopped to get some gas, and then we were home-free. Thanks, Lord!

With a new perspective, I was able to enjoy dinner with Lydia, write my blog post, exercise, and catch up on Season 2 of The Chosen before watching the first two episodes of Season 3 this coming weekend in the theater! It’s good to be cozy and thankful! 😉

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God, thanks for your grace and protection. Help me be wise and listen; help me know when to be bold and when to be cautious. My confidence is in You alone. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: What is your favorite part about winter weather? What are you thankful for?

Task: Please pray for my chiropractor, and also tell God what you are thankful for!

Posted on in Being Gracious, Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Kindness, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #349

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Free photos of Snowfall

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

This week, was fun and good, but also a little crazy.

We had a fabulous time on Sunday with our African neighbors. I also called them later in the week to make sure they were prepared for our first snowstorm of the season. I encouraged them to get some groceries ahead of time. After the storm stopped, I called to check in. The kids loved the snow, though they are still getting used to the wind and cold.

My work-week was wild at times! It was a four-day week due to Veterans Day, so we had more to do than usual in a shorter amount of time. We have had a lot of coverage needs lately, but in a couple of weeks, we should be fully staffed again – the first time since July 15th! Nonetheless, I am glad to be doing the work I am called to do!

On Thursday, we had about seven dietitians out, due to the snowstorm, sickness, maternity leave, training, travel, etc. There were four of us left to get everything done! We each earned a ‘golden ticket’ which is a token of appreciation; they can be turned in later for some time off. So that was cool!

On Friday, Lydia and I both were home for Veterans Day. Some friends came over to visit. The mom and I caught up over a cup of coffee, while the girls made resin coasters. It will be fun to see how they turn out!

Today, Lydia was invited to hang out with another friend from school. She was at their house most of the day, so I did a few Saturday chores, cooked some food, and then relaxed.

Of note, I was clearing some snow in my driveway today when I slipped on the ice and fell hard. I hit my head, back, and right elbow. It was a little shocking! I did not pass out, thankfully, but I am fairly sore from my neck to my hips, and my elbow has a distinct greenish-purple bruise. I did put down some salt to help melt the ice, but I appreciate your prayers as I rest and recover!

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Perseverance, Prayer

Finding Grace #312

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Bridge, Wooden, Winter, Snow, Mountains, Poland, Wood

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

Overall, this was another good week, though it was sad and heavy at times due to foreign events in Ukraine. I was leaving a store yesterday afternoon thinking about traffic and ‘all’ I had to do. But, then the thought occurred to me, “I am not getting bombed and I am not fearing for my safety. I’m fine.” I’m keeping Ukraine in prayer.

This week, I decided to forgo a doctor’s appointment for my toe because it is pretty close to healed. I don’t know if there’s anything else that can be done for it, so I canceled the appointment. It turned out to be a good idea because it was a busy work week and I was able to use that time for charting.

I enjoyed the ladies’ group at church and was able to connect with a new widow friend. It is a tough road to walk, but I hope to encourage her as best I can.

I talked with a friend about this week’s blog post on bravery. We discussed some kid-friendly resources, so I ordered a few workbooks for Lydia and me to try! I hope to review them for you soon!

This morning, I was on-call for work but did not get called in. I got up early and was ready to go, but I am glad I was able to relax. Later, Lydia was invited over to a friend’s house, so I had the afternoon and early evening to myself!

Early in the week, we had off for a blizzardy President’s Day. Then, Lydia was off due to the same blizzard on Tuesday. It was cold early on, but today, it was finally in the 20s or so above zero! It was so pretty and felt great!

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Fear, Faith, and Moving Forward book, Gratitude, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Wisdom

Finding Grace #311

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Nature, Winter, Tree, Sunset, Dusk, Evening, Sky

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

This was a good week! It was less crazy than last week, for sure. Work was busy, but things were more or less back to normal.

My toenail is still not 100%, but it is slowly getting better with the antibiotic. I made another doctor’s appointment for later next week, but maybe I won’t need to go!

I joined a ladies’ group at church, while Lydia participated in Wednesday activities. We started a book about women in the Bible, which should take us through the next few months. It was fun to see some old friends and meet some new ones!

Lydia had a remote learning day for school (at the Y) yesterday due to another blizzardy Friday! It wasn’t too bad in town, but there were several accidents in the rural areas. I went to work, grabbed some groceries, and picked her up early so we could enjoy a little extra time together. This included a fun 2+ hour game of Monopoly. Lydia really enjoyed being the banker… even though I won!

Yesterday, I had a really encouraging call with my mom. I called just to say hi since I missed her, but then I asked her for some advice. Through her wise words, she confirmed that I am doing exactly what God wants me to do right now. I am so grateful for her and my dad! They truly are the best parents.

Today was another relaxing day with Lydia. We played with hair, clothes, and makeup; I am so glad to have a girl! I talked with my sister and made some delicious brownies, too. Weekends are perfect for trying new things!

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Food and Nutrition, Gratitude, Kindness, Miscellaneous, Perseverance

Finding Grace #310

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Winter, Mountain, Snow, Landscape, Trees, Countryside

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

This week was a bunch of wild cards! It was quite busy and full of the unexpected. Even when I was fully prepared for certain events, they still didn’t turn out just as I planned. Thankfully, God was with me and helped me get through it all.

This week, I covered outpatient services when my other coworkers were out of the office for various reasons. At times it was one patient after another and it stretched me professionally. It wasn’t all bad, just a little stressful.

I also picked up a couple of patients who had new feeding tubes. I had plenty of time to prepare before they came for their supplies and education. But what I didn’t expect is that they came on the same day at nearly the same time when no one else was available to help! At one point, I met the patient out in the transport vehicle that had picked him up… he was too weak and tired to come into the building. Thankfully, it worked out and all’s well that ends well!

Lydia had a remote learning day for school yesterday due to a blizzard. It threw off my work schedule a bit, but I was able to stay a little later and call it even. It turned out to be a blessing after all!

I went to the doctor yesterday for an ingrown toenail and just started a ten-day antibiotic (hopefully avoiding a podiatry consult!). Soaking my foot or the last week hasn’t done the trick, but it’s been a painful two-week ordeal so far. 

Today was another bitterly cold day, so we didn’t mind staying home. I did clear some snow and did some usual Saturday dishes and laundry. Needless to say, with my toe, I am happy to keep my feet up!

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!